FirNaTine

Ah, WHAT! Everyone knows you can't eliminate all risks, every fire and every death, but you can sure reduce their chances from occuring and one way to do that is by not sending companies out of town for unnecessary mutual aid. If it's needed fine, it's justifiable, but if it really isn't necessary, why play Russian Roulette with the lives and the property of those who are counting on you to show up when they need you the most. This goes for both Career and Volunteer Depts..

So since nothing happened that required these units within their own juristiction it's o.k. then. Since when has it become acceptable within the Fire Service to gamble with peoples lives and property, especially those paying astronomical taxes for Emergency Services. Why do so many Depts. roll the dice and pray for the best. What do we tell the homeowners who are paying our salaries or who helped pay for our million dollar new station or new apparatus, that we didn't think they would need us because nothing usually happens when we leave town. Not for nothing but unless it's absolutely necessary, I don't think we in the Fire Service should be balancing and compromising with the Safety of those we took an oath to protect and who provide the funds to allow us to operate with their best interest in mind.

What's its function? What will it carry and how many men will be assigned to it?

You're right. There's nothing wrong with training so long as you don't do it at another Depts. expense. Why strip another municipality of its Fire Protection so your Dept. could practice its skills? Do it on your own time. I'd be pretty pissed off if I needed my Fire Dept's. Services and the 1st due companie(s), were unnecessarily out of town on m/a.

What about Yonkers FD, Scarsdale FD or Ardsley FD? Aren't they closer? How long were you guys tied up anyway Bnechis on m/a for an mva?

Was mutual aid really necessary for this incident? Why were so many FD agencies there for a truck that just had to be uprighted? It sounded more like a wrecker operation then a technical rescue. Were apparatus from White Plains and New Rochelle really needed to standby in Greenville's quarters? Just wondering.

Was that occupant at the 4th fl. window removed via that gound ladder?

It's not the members fault by no means. When your told to go, you go. It's up to the Top Brass and City Officials to put an end to it or at least some restrictions on it, like Mayor Spencer and Comm. Pagano did. The only reason FDMV responds on m/a is because they abuse it so much and feel obligated to do so. Is it right? Absolutely not, especially when your undermanned to begin with and your now leaving the rest of the Dept. and City without adequate fire protection, which you really didn't have in the 1st place.

And who's fault is that? How many times was Yonkers FD there?

Prior to Friday and Saturday night, when were you there last? As far as I've been told by the guys over there, their on duty manning changes on a daily basis. There's days where they have enough personnel to put a 3rd truck in service but don't for whatever reason and then there's days where they're lucky they have enough personnel working to keep the 5 engines in service. Unfortunately, that's what happens when you don't have a minimum manning agreement with the City in your contract.

It was actually better 20 yrs. ago. The Vern had 3 trucks in service and if m/a was requested, it was 1&1 from Yonkers to Sta.3 and 1&1 from New Rochelle to Sta.1. Very rarely were any m/a companies dispatched to a scene, unless it was conflagration. Now because of City officials putting the Fire Service on the back burner and refusing to adequately fund the FD, we see a rise in m/a companies responding straight to the scene. Is it because of a lack of $$$$? It depends on who you talk to in City Hall. Some say yes, while others say no and that the monies are there. I know one thing for sure, and that's FDMV catches alot of work and there's plenty of guys, Chiefs included, pacing the floors to respond in, to play and get dirty every chance they get. So why would a municipality spend $$$$$$$ to properly staff and equip its FD, when they know help is only a phone call away, and believe me, they know! Hell, your getting it for free and it's not like it's on a daily basis. It's time for the FDMV Union to be like their Union of old, and start hitting the streets, news media and City Council and Budget Meetings to educate the citizens they protect of their plight and their uphill battle against City Hall. It worked for them in the past when they were threatening to shut down companies. We all know what happens to the squeeky wheel. Hell it worked for Yonkers FD. and look at them now.

I was being facetious.

I'm surprised all the professionals on here haven't asked yet, where are the plates and pins for the jacks and outriggers.

It looks as if some of you guys need a drill on the location of the different cables positioned on telephone poles. Is that what happens when you retire?

It looks as if all aerial devices were at least 10' or more away to me. It's called knowing your 1st due area, apparatus and it's limitations. Pretty agressive positioning to get the Job done if you ask me. Kudos to the Chauffers! You really don't see this type of aggressive truck spotting that much anymore. I bet if it was Boston FD, you'd here nothing but praise for the Brothers in Beantown.

Maybe it's time for WPFD to look into acquiring FDMV's Crash Truck if they're not going to refurbish it and put it to some use. Hell they're right next door to the airport, centrally located to respond m/a anywhere in the County, not to mention it would be readily available to respond to any hazardous materials incident requiring Foam on I287 and I684, which are heavily traversed by vehicles carrying such haz mat products. Makes sense no? BTW, what is the story with FDMV's Crash Truck. How much longer is it going to sit and rust away behind Sta.#3 before it's finally put in service? What an eyesore for the residents. Once again, bad decision making on Managements part down there.

These are the same individuals who respond with lights and sirens blaring for a water leak, lift assist, lock-out, lock-in, etc.etc.. I guess there's many out there that are still little kids at heart and get a rise out of this. Maybe it's got something to do also with a Depts. low work load and when the chance arises, everyone must rush to the scene to play. It's ridiculous and irresponsible to say the least.

Doesn't really matter. The Yankees are capable enough to choke on their own. We've all witnessed this.

I think every municipality should be looking to hire the best caliber person for such an occupation as important and hazardous as ours, and not some shlep because he lives in town. Who cares where one lives. Most guys move out of the municipality they work in anyway. Hire those with the best scores and who have an interest in the job, whether they live there or not. Give the residents an extra 3-5pts. but have one list. I'd rather work with a competent and dedicated nonresident who loves his job, then an incompetent and lazy resident who could care less about his profession and co-workers. Just my 2 cents.

And don't forget boys and girls if you don't have a High School Diploma or a GED, you can always apply to take the Vern's Test when it's given. Felons are also welcome.

Isn't there a Seminar being hosted by LaGrange or Arlington FD at the end of the month with FDNY BC John Salka as the presenter?

What kind of progress is being made on the Station if any? I've heard from guys over there, that no work has even started. Any truth to that?

What ever happened to Station #5?

That's what happens unfortunately Chris when your a member of a Dept. that doesn't see much work, whether it be Career, Combo or Volunteer. Everybody want's to be in charge or at least get their fair share of work to say they at least did something. If your not needed, GO HOME! Get ready for the next BIG ONE!